Engineers have been called out to several sites to try and reconnect customers.

In East Lancashire, areas affected include Clitheroe, Burnley and Padiham.

Meanwhile, the fire service has been called to a property on Herbert Sreet in Burnley after reports that the front of a house has caved in.

The Met Office had issued a ‘red’ warning for parts of Lancashire earlier in the day and urged people not to drive unless the trip was unavoidable.

There were several reports of trees falling into roads, including in Brandy House Brow in Blackburn, Littlemoor Road in Clitheroe, Accrington Road near Whalley, and the B6243 at Great Mitton.

Hyndburn firefighters were called to remove aerials which had blown into dangerous positions in Lime Road and Belfield Road in Accrington, while crews from Blackburn were called to Audley Range where a billboard had swung away from its fitting.

They said trees had also come down in Clarence Street and Fishmoor Drive.

Burnley crews were called out to repair guttering in Rosegrove Lane and Hart Street.

Related links

East Lancashire police said about 40 trees had been blown down by 9pm, but said there had not been any major incidents or people injured.

Paul Jackson, 39, said an ambulance was called to the car park in Queens Road, Chorley, at about 5.30pm after someone was injured by a falling tree.

Oswaldtwistle councillor Peter Britcliffe said a ‘sizeable’ tree came down in Guide and partly blocked School Road at about 3.30pm.

He said: “I wouldn’t like to think about what damage it would have caused if it landed on a car.”

By 8.30pm, 26 fallen trees had been reported across the police’s eastern division which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

Buildings were also damaged, including a property in Cotton Tree Lane in Colne.

Firefighters were called at about 3.30pm after some roof tiles blew into the road. They said they removed the remaining tiles and made the roof safe.

Meanwhile, Exchange Street in Blackburn town centre was closed after a panel of cladding blew off the Town Hall tower block and made the area ‘unsafe’.

Harry Catherall, the council’s chief executive, said last night: “The situation is being assessed and we will take whatever action necessary to ensure the safety at all times of both staff and residents.”

Burnley Council put up signs saying its public parks were closed due to concerns that trees may pose a threat, while Network Rail said the West Coast Main Line between Preston and Cumbria would be closed from 7pm to 9pm.

The M6 was due to be closed between junctions 19 at Knutsford and junction 21a, the Croft Interchange, until about 10pm, with winds affecting the Thelwall Viaduct.

The Met Office had initially issued an amber warning of wind, the second most severe, with temperatures feeling as low as -6°C, but upgraded the warning at 10.45am yesterday, including parts of East Lancashire.

Heavy snow and more heavy winds were also forecast through the night.

The gusts began at about 3pm and Lancashire Fire and Rescue said it had attended more than 50 incidents by about 7.30pm.

Most of these incidents were in the west of the county however, where 84mph winds were recorded at Blackpool Airport.

Lancashire County Council said it would do all it could to keep the county moving, but asked people to consider the conditions before travelling.

Highways teams were put on standby to remove obstacles such as fallen trees and to temporarily close roads for safety if they were affected by debris, while Electricity North West drafted in extra engineers to repair any damage.

Residents were also asked to only put out rubbish and recycling that ‘absolutely needs collecting’.

The M62 was also closed in both directions between junctions 22 and 23 across the Pennines, and the M56 Weaver Viaduct in Cheshire was affected.

Delays were affecting the M55 into Blackpool after a roof was blown off a building, according to the motorway police.

The coastguard was told to expect hurricane force winds and Irish Sea ferry crossings between Heysham and the Isle of Man were cancelled.

"Winds were expected to reach up to 80mph widely and possibly 100mph in the most exposed locations in west and north-west Wales," the Met Office said.

Forecasters said the wind was expected to have dropped by today but warned that more rain was expected over the next few days, with temperatures expected to struggle above 4C.

Comments (41)

Why haven't the floods down south been declared a national emergency/disaster? Thus releasing appropriate funds and contingency plans...the Government looks unfit for purpose and totally amateurish and out of their depth (!) over this misery. We need competent Governments not public schoolboys playing power games...

Why haven't the floods down south been declared a national emergency/disaster? Thus releasing appropriate funds and contingency plans...the Government looks unfit for purpose and totally amateurish and out of their depth (!) over this misery. We need competent Governments not public schoolboys playing power games...HairyBowls

To answer your points in a non-biased, FACTUAL manner . . . a major emergency has been declared locally ( it's not National ) . . . . did you hear what the PM said yesterday at his Press Conference ? . . . . . and you, Madam, are making naughty , unhelpful comments in order to score political points.
.
My sincerest apologies if you are now in Surrey with your waders on . . but, somehow, I reckon you are not .

To answer your points in a non-biased, FACTUAL manner . . . a major emergency has been declared locally ( it's not National ) . . . . did you hear what the PM said yesterday at his Press Conference ? . . . . . and you, Madam, are making naughty , unhelpful comments in order to score political points.
.
My sincerest apologies if you are now in Surrey with your waders on . . but, somehow, I reckon you are not .burner

Burner if those are FACTS, those are quite lame...a local emergency has different contingency plans to a national one...this is fast becoming a national emergency due to costs spiralling which we all will have to pay for. There is worse flooding to come and serious threat to life in a growing wider geographical area, a local state of emergency is not adequate, the local and county councils just don't have the funds to deal with this, hence my call for a National action plan.

Burner if those are FACTS, those are quite lame...a local emergency has different contingency plans to a national one...this is fast becoming a national emergency due to costs spiralling which we all will have to pay for. There is worse flooding to come and serious threat to life in a growing wider geographical area, a local state of emergency is not adequate, the local and county councils just don't have the funds to deal with this, hence my call for a National action plan.HairyBowls

HairyBowls wrote:
Why haven't the floods down south been declared a national emergency/disaster? Thus releasing appropriate funds and contingency plans...the Government looks unfit for purpose and totally amateurish and out of their depth (!) over this misery. We need competent Governments not public schoolboys playing power games...

More importantly are you aware of any government sending US aid now we have an emergency/disaster?

Thought not!!!!

[quote][p][bold]HairyBowls[/bold] wrote:
Why haven't the floods down south been declared a national emergency/disaster? Thus releasing appropriate funds and contingency plans...the Government looks unfit for purpose and totally amateurish and out of their depth (!) over this misery. We need competent Governments not public schoolboys playing power games...[/p][/quote]More importantly are you aware of any government sending US aid now we have an emergency/disaster?
Thought not!!!!Lancs - pensioner

Tell that to the poor bar stewards down south!!!! It is happening and there are umpteen reasons for it happening but it is happening!!

[quote][p][bold]maxcollie[/bold] wrote:
Media hype again![/p][/quote]Tell that to the poor bar stewards down south!!!! It is happening and there are umpteen reasons for it happening but it is happening!!Lancs - pensioner

HairyBowls wrote:
Burner if those are FACTS, those are quite lame...a local emergency has different contingency plans to a national one...this is fast becoming a national emergency due to costs spiralling which we all will have to pay for. There is worse flooding to come and serious threat to life in a growing wider geographical area, a local state of emergency is not adequate, the local and county councils just don't have the funds to deal with this, hence my call for a National action plan.

How can it be national I can walk to work or drive go shopping even tend to the garden the only way I can get soaking wet is by jumping in the bath. you sound just like the sun newspaper the UK is not under water.

[quote][p][bold]HairyBowls[/bold] wrote:
Burner if those are FACTS, those are quite lame...a local emergency has different contingency plans to a national one...this is fast becoming a national emergency due to costs spiralling which we all will have to pay for. There is worse flooding to come and serious threat to life in a growing wider geographical area, a local state of emergency is not adequate, the local and county councils just don't have the funds to deal with this, hence my call for a National action plan.[/p][/quote]How can it be national I can walk to work or drive go shopping even tend to the garden the only way I can get soaking wet is by jumping in the bath. you sound just like the sun newspaper the UK is not under water.mmickk

HairyBowls wrote:
Burner if those are FACTS, those are quite lame...a local emergency has different contingency plans to a national one...this is fast becoming a national emergency due to costs spiralling which we all will have to pay for. There is worse flooding to come and serious threat to life in a growing wider geographical area, a local state of emergency is not adequate, the local and county councils just don't have the funds to deal with this, hence my call for a National action plan.

How can it be national I can walk to work or drive go shopping even tend to the garden the only way I can get soaking wet is by jumping in the bath. you sound just like the sun newspaper the UK is not under water.

Mmick where do you think the funds for repairs are going to appear from? National taxation! In an already cash strapped climate too...a national emergency doesnt mean everybody and everything is under threat, it means fellow citizens in large numbers are facing a disaster...it could so easily have been us up here instead, just because you are not affected doesn't mean the same applies to the rest of us...

[quote][p][bold]mmickk[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]HairyBowls[/bold] wrote:
Burner if those are FACTS, those are quite lame...a local emergency has different contingency plans to a national one...this is fast becoming a national emergency due to costs spiralling which we all will have to pay for. There is worse flooding to come and serious threat to life in a growing wider geographical area, a local state of emergency is not adequate, the local and county councils just don't have the funds to deal with this, hence my call for a National action plan.[/p][/quote]How can it be national I can walk to work or drive go shopping even tend to the garden the only way I can get soaking wet is by jumping in the bath. you sound just like the sun newspaper the UK is not under water.[/p][/quote]Mmick where do you think the funds for repairs are going to appear from? National taxation! In an already cash strapped climate too...a national emergency doesnt mean everybody and everything is under threat, it means fellow citizens in large numbers are facing a disaster...it could so easily have been us up here instead, just because you are not affected doesn't mean the same applies to the rest of us...HairyBowls

On a positive note, now the flooding is getting closer to London, the Politicians are suddenly interested and more media coverage is happening.

Pretty sure that the simple solution to the money issue is......... STOP sending money overseas £10 billion could build quite a lot of flood defences.
On a positive note, now the flooding is getting closer to London, the Politicians are suddenly interested and more media coverage is happening.Doug Spencer

The reason why all those mills were built in the North is simply because it's wet up here, for most of the year and it kept the 'ends' damp..
However, those that live in the South - and I include my brother in Bristol in this - can't tolerate the climate that we have in this country. For them, it's either too hot, too dark, too dry, too wet or too windy, in any combination.
The Gov't has put £100million in the pot, in order to maintain services and has deployed the Army in certain areas, to assist in flood defence works.
Meanwhile, here in Blackburn, the council has put up signs, warning of liability to flood. We don't get all excited when it gets a bit draughty, we just carry on. The milk, post and the newspapers get delivered, just the same. After all, it is Winter here, isn't it.

The reason why all those mills were built in the North is simply because it's wet up here, for most of the year and it kept the 'ends' damp..
However, those that live in the South - and I include my brother in Bristol in this - can't tolerate the climate that we have in this country. For them, it's either too hot, too dark, too dry, too wet or too windy, in any combination.
The Gov't has put £100million in the pot, in order to maintain services and has deployed the Army in certain areas, to assist in flood defence works.
Meanwhile, here in Blackburn, the council has put up signs, warning of liability to flood. We don't get all excited when it gets a bit draughty, we just carry on. The milk, post and the newspapers get delivered, just the same. After all, it is Winter here, isn't it.woolywords

This time last year, the concern was over a record dry spell leading to drought. This year it is a record raining spell leading to floods. Two years ago it was a record Big Freeze leading to chaos.

Expect more extreme weather more frequently as climate change kicks in. We have two choices - spend lots of money tackling climate change or spend lots of money tackling the consequence of climate change. There are no cheap solutions any more.

This time last year, the concern was over a record dry spell leading to drought. This year it is a record raining spell leading to floods. Two years ago it was a record Big Freeze leading to chaos.
Expect more extreme weather more frequently as climate change kicks in. We have two choices - spend lots of money tackling climate change or spend lots of money tackling the consequence of climate change. There are no cheap solutions any more.Excluded again

rudis_dad wrote:
Yet more LT innaccuracy - the red warning is for coastal areas of north West England; as of 12:30pm today, East Lancashire falls within and Amber warning area.

Sorry, r-dad, but read more carefully.
.
It specifically ( and most unusually) says the RED warning extends to INLAND areas to the East of the Fylde. I agree, the effect will be diminuished, the further away from the coast you are. This time LT are right.
.
Stay safe !

[quote][p][bold]rudis_dad[/bold] wrote:
Yet more LT innaccuracy - the red warning is for coastal areas of north West England; as of 12:30pm today, East Lancashire falls within and Amber warning area.[/p][/quote]Sorry, r-dad, but read more carefully.
.
It specifically ( and most unusually) says the RED warning extends to INLAND areas to the East of the Fylde. I agree, the effect will be diminuished, the further away from the coast you are. This time LT are right.
.
Stay safe !burner

rudis_dad wrote:
Yet more LT innaccuracy - the red warning is for coastal areas of north West England; as of 12:30pm today, East Lancashire falls within and Amber warning area.

Sorry, r-dad, but read more carefully.
.
It specifically ( and most unusually) says the RED warning extends to INLAND areas to the East of the Fylde. I agree, the effect will be diminuished, the further away from the coast you are. This time LT are right.
.
Stay safe !

Nope, sorry - they're wrong!! If you check the weather warnings on the Met Office website the red warning only covers coastal areas - there is no mention of East Lancashire in relation to a red warning. We're covered by an amber warning.

[quote][p][bold]burner[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]rudis_dad[/bold] wrote:
Yet more LT innaccuracy - the red warning is for coastal areas of north West England; as of 12:30pm today, East Lancashire falls within and Amber warning area.[/p][/quote]Sorry, r-dad, but read more carefully.
.
It specifically ( and most unusually) says the RED warning extends to INLAND areas to the East of the Fylde. I agree, the effect will be diminuished, the further away from the coast you are. This time LT are right.
.
Stay safe ![/p][/quote]Nope, sorry - they're wrong!! If you check the weather warnings on the Met Office website the red warning only covers coastal areas - there is no mention of East Lancashire in relation to a red warning. We're covered by an amber warning.
If you don't believe me, look here - http://www.metoffice
.gov.uk/public/weath
er/warnings/#?tab=wa
rnings&regionName=nw
&fcTime=1392163200rudis_dad

HairyBowls wrote:
Why haven't the floods down south been declared a national emergency/disaster? Thus releasing appropriate funds and contingency plans...the Government looks unfit for purpose and totally amateurish and out of their depth (!) over this misery. We need competent Governments not public schoolboys playing power games...

wait till it hits central London,

[quote][p][bold]HairyBowls[/bold] wrote:
Why haven't the floods down south been declared a national emergency/disaster? Thus releasing appropriate funds and contingency plans...the Government looks unfit for purpose and totally amateurish and out of their depth (!) over this misery. We need competent Governments not public schoolboys playing power games...[/p][/quote]wait till it hits central London,site supervisor

not belittling the floods at all - but let us get some context. some journos are comparing the UK floods to hurricane katrina in new orleans where 1,800 died and 275,000 houses completely lost. So far, out of 24m UK households - 60 have been flooded in the Somerset levels and 6,000 in total.

obviously those for those affected it is tragic - but no politician can stop it raining and it is more than rivers now as the water table is so high that it is springing out of the ground - if you drain the aquifers - water got to go somewhere

the levels are slightly different - but it the river course is not called the flood plain for no reason.

i am sure there are more - but i can only unprompted think of tewkesbury, worcester and york that consistently flood (hebden bridge last year too) and these places have flood defences - but they still flood.

not belittling the floods at all - but let us get some context. some journos are comparing the UK floods to hurricane katrina in new orleans where 1,800 died and 275,000 houses completely lost. So far, out of 24m UK households - 60 have been flooded in the Somerset levels and 6,000 in total.
obviously those for those affected it is tragic - but no politician can stop it raining and it is more than rivers now as the water table is so high that it is springing out of the ground - if you drain the aquifers - water got to go somewhere
the levels are slightly different - but it the river course is not called the flood plain for no reason.
i am sure there are more - but i can only unprompted think of tewkesbury, worcester and york that consistently flood (hebden bridge last year too) and these places have flood defences - but they still flood.hasslem hasslem

Oh dear . . . someone criticised the LT regarding the accuracy of reporting . . .that led to threads developing . . . it says " 19 comments " at the end of the text above . . . . now they have all vanished !!! . . . will this comment last long ?

Oh dear . . . someone criticised the LT regarding the accuracy of reporting . . .that led to threads developing . . . it says " 19 comments " at the end of the text above . . . . now they have all vanished !!! . . . will this comment last long ?burner

burner wrote: Ooooh, look . . . . the main rail service , because of the wind-speed, is to terminate at PRESTON ( on the coast?????? ) . . . . Good job no-one's listening to you, r's-dad.

Now M6 ( that well-known coastal road ) is shut.

shut in cheshire though, not lancs

Dead right, but my point is that INLAND is at risk - not just the coast, as one poster said this lunchtime.

[quote][p][bold]ste220[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]burner[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]burner[/bold] wrote: Ooooh, look . . . . the main rail service , because of the wind-speed, is to terminate at PRESTON ( on the coast?????? ) . . . . Good job no-one's listening to you, r's-dad.[/p][/quote]Now M6 ( that well-known coastal road ) is shut.[/p][/quote]shut in cheshire though, not lancs[/p][/quote]Dead right, but my point is that INLAND is at risk - not just the coast, as one poster said this lunchtime.burner

ste220 wrote:
how come brittcliffe has to comment on everything, does he have a personal hotline to the LT?

No Ste - it's the other way around.LT's way of filling column inches! Especially when they want quotes about 'dangerous roads'.

[quote][p][bold]ste220[/bold] wrote:
how come brittcliffe has to comment on everything, does he have a personal hotline to the LT?[/p][/quote]No Ste - it's the other way around.LT's way of filling column inches! Especially when they want quotes about 'dangerous roads'.HarryBosch

Well , speaking fron Darwen , I think we have got off very lightly .
Wind hasn't been that bad , being surrounded by hills is really good sometimes . I am also glad we live well above the Town Centre .
I do feel sorry for those who have had their homes damaged .
I certainly agree with those who correctly point out that Foreign Aid ,
or whatever it's called now , must cease immediately .
As must any cuts of The Army , Fire Brigade etc .
It's the "old story" - people think they are a waste of money .
Until they need them . 10/10 to all involved .
Oh - last bit - I had to make an essential journey tonight .
Walked to the corner shop at 6pm , wow , got blown off my feet and
absolutely soaked . Needed a pint of milk .
How else can you have a cuppa tea ?!fireonthemountain

Seems to me that ever since the government and other tree hugging lunatics started this carbon reduction thing, our climate in the last 15-20 years has changed for the worse.
Just like all the bu11 sh1t spouted from big companies tell us they are reducing their carbon footprint by using waterless urinal but continue to support a diesel chugging fleet of trucks etc...... Total nonsense.
Now the response to inadequate env agency was poor but they have been hampered with spending cuts as it seems this skint country of ours can afford to dish the dosh to just about every 3rd world sh1thole who refuse to help theirselves yet not spend our taxes on what it is collected for e.g US.

Crazy country, run by lunatics and people actually want to immigrate here lol

Seems to me that ever since the government and other tree hugging lunatics started this carbon reduction thing, our climate in the last 15-20 years has changed for the worse.
Just like all the bu11 sh1t spouted from big companies tell us they are reducing their carbon footprint by using waterless urinal but continue to support a diesel chugging fleet of trucks etc...... Total nonsense.
Now the response to inadequate env agency was poor but they have been hampered with spending cuts as it seems this skint country of ours can afford to dish the dosh to just about every 3rd world sh1thole who refuse to help theirselves yet not spend our taxes on what it is collected for e.g US.
Crazy country, run by lunatics and people actually want to immigrate here lolLurid67

Give over making a fuss, you bunch of weak minded twits. The media really does know how to exaggerate this little upset in the weather pattern. Ok I do have sympathy for the southerners but have seen far far worse for the real effected unfortunate citizens.

Go on give me the thumbs down. Let's see how many I could collect.

Give over making a fuss, you bunch of weak minded twits. The media really does know how to exaggerate this little upset in the weather pattern. Ok I do have sympathy for the southerners but have seen far far worse for the real effected unfortunate citizens.
Go on give me the thumbs down. Let's see how many I could collect.sen c b l

A Darener wrote:
Of course the Government is to blame for the weather. Of course the Government is to blame for houses being built on &quot;flood" plains.

It's not the goverments fault people who buy these houses no full well there buying a house in a flood plan it says it on your survey , so it's there own stupidity , I'd rather buy a house on a hill any day common sence , some people might have a few qualifications but I'd rather have common sence :)

[quote][p][bold]A Darener[/bold] wrote:
Of course the Government is to blame for the weather. Of course the Government is to blame for houses being built on "flood" plains.[/p][/quote]It's not the goverments fault people who buy these houses no full well there buying a house in a flood plan it says it on your survey , so it's there own stupidity , I'd rather buy a house on a hill any day common sence , some people might have a few qualifications but I'd rather have common sence :)phil kernot

4 - the same person who would not allow the shoring up of the railway line at Dawlish until a survey was carried out on the effect on local bird life - is it me that is insane ?

5 - Why , since recent flooding has been going on from early December , is it only news since The Thames has risen in the last few days ?

So glad we live on a hill .

----------

Sen c b l - a perfectly good post mate .
I have a relative in Scotland who works for a water board .
He cannot believe people build on flood plains .
As phil kernot says - common sense .
Now - I do not wish to apportion blame , but ,
1 - why on earth did we allow foreign companies to buy our
water companies ?
2 - why did we agree some EU directive that forbade dredging ?
3 - why is Lord Chris Smith , who apparantly sits on eleven committees ,and has no experience whatsoever , in charge ?
4 - the same person who would not allow the shoring up of the railway line at Dawlish until a survey was carried out on the effect on local bird life - is it me that is insane ?
5 - Why , since recent flooding has been going on from early December , is it only news since The Thames has risen in the last few days ?
So glad we live on a hill .
----------fireonthemountain